The word Jihad comes from the root word jahada, which means to struggle. At the individual level, jihad primarily refers to the inner struggle of being a person of virtue and submission to God in all aspects of life

Terrorism is usually defined as ideologically motivated indiscriminate violence that targets civilians, with the intention of inspiring terror in order to achieve political ends. Although this definition ignores the reality of state terrorism, it is clear that terrorism has no place in the noble concept of Jihad. Even Jihad that involves physical conflict is the very antithesis of terrorism, as is clear from the following differences:

1. Jihad can be launched only by an established authority as a policy in order to deter aggression. Terrorism, on the other hand, is committed by individuals or groups that have no legitimacy to speak for the majority. When terrorism is committed by states, it usually depends on misleading the masses.
2. Jihad is limited to combatants while terrorism involves indiscriminate killing of civilians.
3. Jihad, when the need arises, is declared openly, while terrorism is committed secretly.
4. Jihad is bound by strict rules of engagement while terrorism is not bound by any rules.

The word jihad is a noun meaning "struggle." Jihad appears frequently in the Qur'an and common usage as the idiomatic expression "striving in the way of Allah (al-jihad fi sabil Allah).” A person engaged in jihad is called a mujahid, the plural is mujahideen. A minority among the Sunni scholars sometimes refer to this duty as the sixth pillar of Islam, though it occupies no such official status. In Twelver Shi'a Islam, however, Jihad is one of the 10 Practices of the Religion.

Holy war, the duty to spread Islam by arms, recently modified to "holy struggle" by persuasion (Ahmadiya) and sometimes extended to include war against other Muslims deemed too Westernized (extremist fundamentalism).

Jihad can also refer to the internal/spiritual struggle within one self.

Jihad is often translated as "Holy War", although a closer translation from its arabic origins is "struggle towards good", whether that means internal strife or fighting against those who attempt to destroy Islam.

Also note, the word Jihad does not mean to kill infidels as is often said by racist fatherless children ie-bastards, but rather defend Islam against those who wish to destroy it. Islam does not say to conquer the world and enslave or kill all infidels.

Ahmad has been trying to avoid drinking alcohol while in college, he is on a personnel jihad against alcohol and peer-pressure.

jihad is a term currently used in the game battlefield 2 in wich the act consist of strapping explosives to your vehicle and ramming it into ennemies commiting suicide for the purpose of making your team win more points.